Could Dan Mullen be leaving Starkville?

According to this report from the Houston Chronicle, Mississippi State’s head coach is considered a candidate for the recently-vacated Houston job:

Mullen has coached at MSU since 2009. During this period, he’s accrued a 59-42 overall record — including six bowl appearances.

However, the Bulldogs have regressed in 2016 without QB Dak Prescott. MSU came into Saturday with a 4-7 record.

While Houston doesn’t play in a conference with the prestige of the SEC, it has a fertile recruiting base to pull from. Additionally, it doesn’t have to face the likes of LSU, Alabama, Auburn, and Ole Miss on an annual basis. Mississippi State is arguably the toughest job in the SEC West.

With coaching rumors swirling at a fever-pitch level, Mullen will likely be associated with multiple jobs in the offseason.